This one’s for the women.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has awarded the Rokeya Padak this year to five brave women this year, whose contributions to women’s rights and empowerment have ranged from fields as diverse as journalism to social development.
The Rokeya Padak is given in honour of Begum Rokeya, a pioneer for the feminist movement in Bangladesh, whose contributions to women’s empowerment knows no bounds and was recently celebrated by Google’s signature homepage doodle.
While Bangladesh has taken great strides in economic development and social equity, it is a tragedy that 50% of our population are still subjected to inequality and harassment, and continue to be treated as second class citizens.
But the prime minister’s vision to make women realise their full potential is one that every one of us can get behind.
And the Rokeya Padak is one step amongst many that need to be taken to ensure that women’s rights are preserved, and true gender equality is achieved in the nation.
As our honourable prime minister has said: “Women should become independent in every sphere of life.”
And we cannot stop until they do.
It is about time that we strive towards a future that allows women to become independent, to built a country that is safe, and to create opportunities whereby women can realise their full potential.
No country can claim progress as long as 50% of its population continue to be subjugated to the forces of patriarchy and archaic thinking.
Bangladesh’s policies need to change, and so do our perceptions.
Begum Rokeya had a vision. Let’s work to make that vision come true.
Friday, March 28, 2025
